Artificial Intelligence and Engineering
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning have practically been adopted in every other industry, and engineering is no exception. These technologies are everywhere, and it is truly amazing to realize the incredible things they enable us to do and what they do help us achieve in the near future. For engineers, these technologies would not only assist with everyday tasks but would help them to do things they couldn’t do earlier.
Although the term Artificial Intelligence began more prevalent in recent years, it has been progressing since 1956. In the last decade, the field has achieved significant progress as it got spread in many technological circles. Currently, it is one of the fastest-growing emerging technology. Owing to AI now, machines can perform tasks that required human intelligence at a speed that average human beings may not be able to achieve.
One of the latest development in AI is machine learning (ML). Machines are made to learn by providing the data, analyzing it, and then taking action. They learn from the output of that action.
In the engineering sector, AI is used through both software and hardware. With the latest machine learning algorithms, machines are becoming more refined, and they can support smart production as well as handle complex manufacturing tasks. They will also be able to design and improve tasks with less or no human intervention in the near future.
For quite some time, robots have been used in the automobile manufacturing sector to handle production line. From being used to complete the simple engineering tasks, they have now learned to handle precision moves that are required for the most intricate part of the process.
Artificial Intelligence tools can be used to enhance the tasks done by engineers like designing and simulation. The implementation of these tools helps the engineers to explore design and weight-saving options, thus increasing the potential and capability of an engineer. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) was once a supplemental tool, and now it is such an essential part of the design.
Artificial intelligence can also support engineering tasks is to help avoid organizational silos and effectively manage data and gather insights from it. The automated programs could be programmed to handle low-value tasks; thus, the engineers could spend more time and focus on higher-value tasks. Machines will be of great use by enabling machine learning algorithms to discover data patterns and make judgments.
No doubt the implementation of AI and ML offers several benefits, some of the engineers are concerned that their jobs will be taken over by the machines. Automation of tasks that are performed by humans could lead to the loss of employment for many employees. Contrary to the engineer’s concern, reports suggest that AI and ML will lead to advanced engineering. It would let the humans focus on high-end work for which we couldn’t rely on machines. The adoption of technology will change how engineers do the jobs, but it will lead to an exploration of things that are yet unknown to humankind.
